The Plight of Monarch Butterflies

Monarchs are on the move, but facing new dangers. Long threatened by logging and agricultural activities, climate change poses new challenges. Here's their story and a few steps you can take to help them along the way.

Does a Monarch come to mind?

Monarch butterflies are so ubiquitous throughout North America that when you think of a butterfly, chances are an image of a monarch comes to mind.

Even insects cuddle

Monarchs cannot tolerate long cold winters. They migrate south and overwinter in Mexico and in coastal and southern California. To stay warm, they cluster together, sometimes tens of thousands on a single tree.

Gorging on poisonous milkweed sap

A single female butterfly can lay hundreds of eggs on the leaves of milkweed plants, the only food source for monarchs in their larval phase. Monarch caterpillars feed on the milkweed's thick, gooey sap, which is poisonous to most vertebrates, making monarchs unpleasant to birds and other predators.

Following the same migratory path

The second generation continues northward, once again on the lookout for milkweed plants where they can reproduce. The cycle repeats for another couple of generations before the chill of fall returns and the southward migration begins. Amazingly, even though several generations have passed, monarchs return to the same forests as their ancestors.

Climate change putting Monarchs at risk

Scientists are starting to cite climate change as a growing concern. Extreme weather events — from summer heat and drought to bigger storms — are impacting monarch populations. And several studies suggest climate change could alter the delicate balance of monarch migrations and habitats.

Earning its name

Monarchs were given their common name in 1874 by American entomologist Samuel Scudder, who wrote, "It is one of the largest of our butterflies, and rules a vast domain."

Continuing the journey

The annual monarch migration is a miracle of nature. As spring temperatures rise, the adult monarchs start their northward migration. But they don't get far before they breed in the southern U.S. and die. The next generation then continues the northward journey.

Two weeks in the chrysalis

After gorging on the milkweed leaves for a couple of weeks, the monarch larvae form a chrysalis and begin a two-week chrysalis phase, after which they emerge as the colorful butterflies we know and love.

Humans...one of the Monarch's biggest threats

Human activities are threatening monarchs in a number of ways, most directly through changes in agricultural practices and the destruction of natural habitat (e.g. logging and development).

Smallest population since 1975

According to Monarch Watch, the number of monarchs that overwinter in the oyamel forests of Mexico declined by nearly 60% this year, representing the smallest estimated monarch population since scientists began tracking these winter colonies in 1975.

Here are some steps you can take to help Monarch Butterflies along their way:

Plant native milkweed!

They'll be sure to stop by on their migration route, and you'll be providing the females with a place to lay their eggs by providing food for their young. It's best to have at least 10 plants, of more than one kind of species.

Plant nectar plants!

Nectar plants are important to monarchs during their breeding season and fall migration. Try to have at least 4 annual, biennial or perennial plants in your garden, and chances are monarchs will stop by.

Research Pesticides!

Monarch caterpillars may not be as pretty as the butterflies they'll become, but pesticides may rob them of that opportunity. Try to find more natural ways to keep garden pests at bay.

Tell Your Friends!

Help spread the word about the monarch's plight.

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Be kind to animals. Help stop climate change by becoming a monthly donor today

You'll also be eligible for a FREE copy of Barbara Kingsolver's Flight Behavior.

Thanks to the support of dedicated people like you, we can continue to make a difference.

Your monthly amount:

$5$12$20

Please use my full gift to support EDF's workYes, I would like a copy of Kingsolver's Flight Behavior